Hey guys new member and am completely new to diesels but I recently opened my own business and need one to pull with but not a lot. I've seen many threads on here about 12v vs. 24v but all of them are based on mods.

I need to know which is better on reliabilty and gas mileage? I don't plan on modding it or care about how loud it is. This will be my first diesel and I really need the most reliable truck I can get. I'm still a dodge fan but its getting hard with my track record of dodges so I'm hoping this purchase will make everything better this will be my fourth chance I've given dodge and if this doesn't workout I'm done so I'm trying to make a good decision. Thank you!!

 

Im not that knowledgeable on diesels, but I believe the 12 valve is the most reliable. Its completely mechanical. As long as its getting fuel, it will run. The engine was given the name "the million-mile motor" in the height of its day. And reliable because the injection pump is almost bullet proof, and there is 12 less valves to cause wear. The 12 valve comboed with the NV4500 manual transmission is the most reliable vehicle around. I know. Im trying to get one too lol

 

There are different flavors of pump on the 12v though. Do a bit of research, to make sure the truck you buy has the right one. (I believe the P pump is the one you want, not completely sure though.)

 

The VE pump/P-pump changeover happened in 94, 1st gens are VE pump, 2nd gens are P-pump. The 12v hands down, better fuel economy and more reliable. Lift pumps fail on 24Vs all the time, taking out the expensive VP44 injection pump. Even though you don't care, the 24v is also noticeably louder than the 12v.

 

The p7100 is what is known as the P-pump and i know some people might get angry but yes the 12v is the more reliable one but i wont trade my 24v for a 12v any day and and my lift pump has not failed once and I'm Pushing way more power than stock

 

Hi, guys thanks for the great advice I found a 2002 24v six speed manual cummins it's a 2500. It's a really good deal but I was wondering I'm worried about a injection pump and lift pump it has 142,00 miles on it so i know it's getting about that time. I have a fuel pressure gauge to check it what should it be at and what are some signs I should look for? Also he said it will rev up and back down when idling what could that be? I can get it for $7,500 so i can put some money in it. Any other things I should look for? Greatly appreciate it!!!!

 

Also I found a 1997 five speed cummins my friend bought and wants resell it has 127,000 miles on it he's only asking $7,500 for it so I can get cheaper but the 5th gear is out of it. Is that a cheap fix and is that the p-pump and the nv4500 trans? I'm debating between the two.

 

May wanna post some of these questions in the diesel forum, I am going to guess that know more about the oil burners than we do.

Five speed is indeed the NV4500. Not sure just how interchangeable they are between years/engines...... (they also used them behind gas engines.)

For the rev up and down.... if it were a gas engine, I would say vacuum leak..... diesel? Not sure.

How much do they want for the trucks? You say 7500 for either one?

 

I would get the 24v its got the 6 speed in it and dont be worried about the injection pump and lift pump with 142K miles that cummins is'nt even broken in 2 of my buddys got 24vs 1 with 345000 miles and the injection pump and lift pump are stock only thing done to it is 5inch straight pipe CAI and a little edge chip and the 2nd one has 255K miles with stock injection pump and lift pump and all its got is 5invh straight pipe CAI and a smarty those are my only friends really how have not replaced there stock pumps for power